You Are A Limited Edition Of One
No leader looks the same, and that should not surprise us. God does not use a cookie cutter.
This week's quips and quotes help us catch the uniqueness of a diverse group of leaders, with hopes that they will help you reflect on the special way God has designed you. Think about it:
- “That is what I am, God’s pencil. A tiny bit of pencil with which He writes what He likes.” Mother Teresa
- "We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glow-worm." Winston Churchill
- "When he came into the room it was as if a strong wind had blown the door open." John Burroughs (about Teddy Roosevelt)
- "For depth of purpose, zeal, and sagacity, no man in Congress exceeded, if equaled, Sam Adams." Thomas Jefferson
- "The first time I got the ball, I launched it from about twenty feet out and it goes in. The crowd goes absolutely crazy and I'm passing everywhere, rebounding and sinking all my shots. Near the end of the game, we are down by only one point when I get a rebound and someone fouls me. I go to the free throw line and I try to pretend it's 6 A.M. in the gym back home and these are just two of the five hundred free throws that I shoot every morning. Swish! Swish! Both shots are good and we win the game by one point." Larry Bird
- "His hands were the hands of a man accustomed to pruning his own trees, cutting his own hay, and splitting his own firewood." David McCullough on John Adams
- "Not once, or five times, or five hundred times, but thousands of times in these threescore years, have we had in hand not enough for one more meal, either in food or in funds; but not once has God failed us; not once have we or the orphans gone hungry or lacked any good thing."George Müller, who cared for thousands of orphans during his life. Read more about him by clicking here.
- "Wesley was a terribly exciting preacher, quiet though his manner was. He pushed matters home without flinching. He made people cry out and fall down, nor did it surprise him that they should [do that]." Hugh Price Hughes on John Wesley.
- "His Excellency General Washington has arrived among us, universally admired. Joy was visible on every countenance." General Nathanael Greene on George Washington.
- "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." "The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves."Helen Keller
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-14 ESV
Recapping the week:
This week we have been exploring the leadership axiom, Every leader is a limited edition of one. If you missed a post, you can click here to get it:
- Monday: Every Leader Is A Limited Edition Of One As a leader you are a priceless original. The post looks at three implication of that truth for your leadership.
- Tuesday: How To Take A Leadership Inventory Leaders don’t all look alike, but the good ones do share one thing in common. This post shares three stories of unique leaders and five lessons we can learn to be the best we can be for God.
- Wednesday: Exploring Your Leadership Style A brief survey of leadership theories and and a look at nine different leadership styles.
- Thursday: How Good Leaders Become Great Twenty ways you can become become a great leader for God.
A book worth reading: 1776 by David McCullough
My copy of 1776 is underlined, highlighted, and noted. McCullough's work is masterful. There is keen insight into Washington and other leaders of this critical time. Here is the description from the publisher: "In this stirring book, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence -- when the whole American cause was riding on their successes."
Next week: General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. said, "Leadership is a potent combination of character and strategy, if you must be without one, be without the strategy." We are going to discuss character and leadership next week. Invite someone you know to join us.